Web site

Gallery

Propulsion

Dimensions

Air Draft

To be confirmed

Breadth: Beam

7.74 feet (2.36 metres)

Length: Overall

57.97 feet (17.68 metres)

Depth

3.51 feet (1.07 metres)

Tonnage: Gross

0.00

History

Built in 1893 by Kingdom Yacht, Launch & Engineering Co.Ltd., DONOLA is a launch with a riveted steel hull and a steam compound engine made by the same firm. She has a fore saloon with 12 seats and an aft saloon with 10 seats and was built as LODONA for A Palmer (Huntley & Palmer, established 1843), the Reading biscuit manufacturer. By 1912, she was owned by James Bigwood and renamed. Between 1920 and 1969 she was owned by the Thames Conservancy as their Upper Thames inspection launch. In April 1969 she was presented to The National Maritime Museum.

Significance

What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

DONOLA’s riveted hull is made of 3/16 inch mild steel plate and some re-plating is known to have been carried out in 1947, along with a survey of the boiler. She was taken out of operational use in 1969 and is now in museum storage, with her hull believed to be in good condition. The vessel is still fitted with her original compound steam engine from 1893, although the side firing locomotive boiler was renewed by Abbot and Company of Newark in 1923.

What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

Built on the Thames as a private launch, DONOLA was purchased by the Thames Conservancy Board in 1920 and remained in their ownership for 50 years which gives her a close association with the London area. During this time, she was used principally for the maintenance and control of the navigation of the river. One of her key duties was to carry the Board’s Lock Gardens Committee on its inspection for the annual competition. In the 1960s, she featured in the film ‘Three Men in a Boat’ and, in 1969, the Board donated her to the National Maritime Museum. She was then publicly displayed in Neptune Court for over 25 years, giving her national recognition.

How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

DONOLA has a clipper bow and a counter stern giving her the graceful lines well-suited to a private yacht cruising on the calm waters of the upper Thames. Her accommodation is elegantly furnished for the comfort of her passengers, with the capacity for 12 seats in the fore saloon and 10 in the aft saloon, plus an open well deck forward. A notable feature internally is the elegant, curved stairway which leads from the deck to the fore-saloon. DONOLA’s original engine, which comprises two steam cylinders driving on two cranks, uses steam efficiently and economically providing a smooth passage, relatively free of vibration.

Previous names

1893 – 1912Lodona

Bibliography

Built in 1893 by Kingdom Yacht, Launch & Engineering Co.Ltd., DONOLA is a launch with a riveted steel hull and a steam compound engine made by the same firm. She has a fore saloon with 12 seats and an aft saloon with 10 seats and was built as LODONA for A Palmer (Huntley & Palmer, established 1843), the Reading biscuit manufacturer. By 1912, she was owned by James Bigwood and renamed. Between 1920 and 1969 she was owned by the Thames Conservancy as their Upper Thames inspection launch. In April 1969 she was presented to The National Maritime Museum.

Follow us

Contact us

Sponsors

National Historic Ships UK acknowledges the financial support of its sponsors:

Copyright in these images rests with National Historic Ships UK and the vessels' owners.
Pictures must not be reproduced without the permission of National Historic Ships UK or of the owners.
Web design by Fat Beehive

×

We will be launching a refreshed website in March.
Unfortunately this means that we won’t be able to make any updates to
our website until this time. If you would like to register a vessel,
update your details or apply for our flagship award before March,
please contact us at info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk or on 02083128558